Georgia execution drug supply to expire next month

Georgia execution drug supply to expire next month

February 18th, 2013by Associated Press in Local - Breaking News

ATLANTA - Georgia's supply of the drug it uses to perform executions is set to expire next month.

The state Department of Corrections says it has 17 vials of pentobarbital, or enough for six lethal injections. The state has two executions scheduled for this week but doesn't have any others scheduled.

Denmark-based Lundbeck Inc., the only U.S.-licensed maker of pentobarbital, sold the product to another firm in 2011. Lundbeck said a distribution system meant to keep the drug out of the hands of prisons would remain in place after Lake Forest, Ill.-based Akorn Inc. acquired the drug.

Georgia Department of Corrections spokeswoman Gwendolyn Hogan did not respond to questions about what the state might be doing to obtain more pentobarbital. But she said the state doesn't intend to change its execution method.